Pang Xiao smiled with interest: “How do you know the Qiu family will definitely make her become a nun? How do you know her grandfather won’t force her to marry?”
“Marry into the family?” Qin Yining shook her head. “Qiu Feishan manages the Sitong Trading Company, and the power in her hands can no longer be separated from her. If they make her marry, how could the Qiu family feel at ease letting the Sitong Trading Company’s wealth flow away and become another family’s property? The only way to preserve the wealth is either to bring in a son-in-law or have Qiu Feishan not marry at all.
“But what good man would be willing to become a live-in son-in-law? And how could someone like Qiu Feishan willingly accept bringing in a husband? If she doesn’t bring in a husband, then becoming a nun is her only path.”
“Not necessarily. She might also choose not to marry and remain a spinster her whole life.” Pang Xiao squinted his eyes with a smile.
“She won’t be content with that. And the Qiu family won’t allow her to do so either. Haven’t you seen how the Qiu family looks down on women? Her second uncle is clearly the heir chosen by the Qiu family head. Her second uncle’s abilities and wisdom are inferior to hers, and there’s also the issue of choosing sides. How could they possibly tolerate a woman pointing fingers and giving orders? Being a spinster isn’t scary, and finding a live-in husband isn’t scary either. In Qiu Feishan’s view, what’s truly scary is having to listen to others’ arrangements for a lifetime, being unable to realize her own ambitions.”
Upon hearing this, Pang Xiao couldn’t help but kiss Qin Yining’s cheek with a loud smack. “My Yining is so clever.”
That kiss was quite loud, and his proud voice when praising her wasn’t quiet either. Qin Yining was certain everyone around must have heard, even though those people were all properly looking straight ahead…
Qin Yining blushed and punched Pang Xiao, causing him to burst into hearty laughter.
The reason Qin Yining could understand Qiu Feishan so well was fundamentally because they were the same type of person. She was luckier than Qiu Feishan because the people around her wouldn’t suppress or look down on her, and also because she had fewer ambitions than Qiu Feishan.
Qin Yining began thinking about how to negotiate with Qiu Feishan to achieve a win-win situation between the Sitong Trading Company and Pang Xiao.
With Qiu Guang’s sudden appearance and all the subsequent troubles, the Qiu family would definitely not support Pang Xiao. No matter who else the Qiu family supported, being able to pull the Sitong Trading Company over as an ally would be better than nothing.
As for how Qiu Feishan could make the Sitong Trading Company completely separate from the Qiu family, since it was originally the Qiu family’s business, that wasn’t something she needed to calculate. She believed Qiu Feishan already had her own plans.
The orderly procession of ten thousand people walked toward the city gate. Although this was the outskirts and they had tried to take less crowded routes to avoid disturbing the people, such a large group naturally made quite a commotion. Many common people had already noticed the situation here, but none dared approach.
Jianchuan City had enjoyed peace for many years due to its strategic location, and because it was under the Qiu family’s protection, the people of Jianchuan lived much more prosperous lives than ordinary people elsewhere.
They were like flowers in a greenhouse, unable to withstand any major scenes. Now that unfamiliar large troops had entered Jianchuan City, it inevitably caused panic among these people.
Qin Yining asked Pang Xiao in a low voice: “What preparations have you made? Will these people spread rumors behind our backs?”
“Don’t worry. The guards I left at the city gate have already explained to those Jianchuan people who were stopped outside the gate that I’m only here to fetch the princess consort. I won’t harm any civilians or commit any acts of plunder. I imagine those people will spread word once they return to the city, and the Qiu family won’t be able to suppress this matter.”
“You’ve thought this through thoroughly.” She was immersed in the joy of Pang Xiao coming to rescue her and hadn’t considered many things.
The procession quickly reached the Jianchuan gate. The troops formed orderly lines and departed, while the soldiers guarding the city gate all withdrew. Twenty thousand people formed ranks outside the Jianchuan gate.
The garrison of Jianchuan Pass returned to the fortress, looking at the Pingnan Army outside with complex expressions on their faces.
They sincerely hoped they would never have the opportunity to face troops led by Pang Xiao again in their lifetime, or they would surely be the unlucky ones.
Outside the city gate, Pang Xiao inquired of his subordinates: “Have you seen a white-robed young master come out?”
With so many troops having already left the city, there was no reason Mu Jinghu couldn’t come out. Mu Jinghu’s qinggong was excellent—bringing someone out would be effortless for him.
“Your Highness, indeed a white-robed young master left the city. He said he was following your orders to take someone away, requested a horse from me, and left. Oh yes, this is the note he left behind.”
Pang Xiao and Qin Yining looked at each other, both remaining silent for a long moment.
Mu Jinghu had actually taken Qiu Feishan and fled first?
Pang Xiao unfolded the note. It briefly explained his reason for leaving.
“Failed in protection, too ashamed to face you.”
Pang Xiao laughed in exasperation.
Even if it was because he had promised Pang Xiao to protect Qin Yining well, but incidents occurred where Qin Yining was molested and then placed under house arrest, and now seeing Pang Xiao he felt embarrassed and wanted to leave—there was still no need to take Qiu Feishan with him.
Qin Yining had asked him to help rescue someone, but he had abducted the person himself.
“Young Master Mu couldn’t have fallen for Miss Qiu, could he?” Qin Yining said hesitantly.
Pang Xiao was startled, then suddenly understood: “That’s actually quite possible. I remember Mutou saying that his master’s senior uncle had calculated his marriage fate for him, and when the time came, he would naturally be sent out to search. This time Mutou came to the old capital, he said his master’s senior uncle told him the south was interesting and chased him out to wander around. Maybe it really was for Miss Qiu.”
Qin Yining nodded in sudden understanding.
Although Tianji Zi engaged in much deception and trickery, and his stance differed from theirs, his reputation was still well-known. Things like the Purple Star Emperor, the Three Inauspicious Stars—these legends, no one could be certain whether they were true or false. But this time Mu Jinghu took Qiu Feishan away, and if their fate was truly calculated by Tianji Zi long ago and they could indeed be together, wouldn’t this indicate that Tianji Zi’s calculations about major events were accurate?
This thought flashed through Qin Yining’s mind for just an instant before she cast it aside.
Regardless of whether fortune-telling was accurate, Pang Xiao’s current situation was already determined. They still needed to manage it carefully. Qin Yining felt there wasn’t necessarily a need to worry about those calculations, lest they be bound by such thoughts and led around by the nose by Tianji Zi.
The troops reorganized outside the city. To avoid causing panic in Jianchuan City, Pang Xiao ordered them to depart, planning to travel some distance before making further plans.
They walked toward the old capital for two hours before Pang Xiao ordered them to make camp and rest.
Only then did Qin Yining have the opportunity to speak with the two Elite Tiger Guards and Xiao Man who had remained outside the city.
“…So you’re saying you sent word to His Highness?”
“Yes, Princess Consort, please don’t blame us. The situation was truly urgent at the time. After you entered the city, there was no word from you at all. We were really afraid something had happened.”
Xiao Man felt somewhat guilty. To protect the princess consort, they naturally needed to inform Pang Xiao directly about the situation in Jianchuan.
But seeing that Pang Xiao had indeed brought troops, Xiao Man was also somewhat worried that Pang Xiao might be criticized for this.
If someone really impeached him for this, wouldn’t it all be his fault?
Qin Yining seemed to see through what Xiao Man was worried about and said with a smile: “I’m not blaming you. In that situation, who wouldn’t be anxious? If it were me, I’d be just as worried. Rest assured, His Highness brought troops out for training exercises, so it doesn’t count as unauthorized troop deployment. It’s fine.”
Comforted in this way, Xiao Man was deeply moved and nodded: “Yes, thank you for your gracious forgiveness, Princess Consort.”
“Please don’t be so formal.” Qin Yining waved her hand with a smile.
During their conversation, Pang Xiao’s main tent had already been set up over there. He naturally beckoned to Qin Yining.
Qin Yining walked over with a smile and entered the tent hand-in-hand with Pang Xiao, causing the surrounding Elite Tiger Guards to smile knowingly, showing expressions that any man would understand.
They were really overthinking things. What could this tent conceal?
Qin Yining and Pang Xiao lay embracing each other in the tent, simply enjoying each other’s warmth and heartbeat.
Neither spoke until Qin Yining began to feel drowsy. She struggled to lift her eyelids and asked: “Have there been letters from Grandmother and Mother? How are Han Ge’er and Zhao Ge’er?”
“Letters came, everything is peaceful.”
“That’s good. What about home?”
“Home is also well. Father-in-law secretly sent word that the battle situation on A’lan’s side has entered the most critical moment.”
Upon hearing this, Qin Yining immediately became much more alert.
On her way to Jianchuan, she had already lost track of the war situation with the Tatars, not to mention being trapped in Jianchuan City where she knew nothing of outside news.
“Do you think Prince Consort Ji can win?”
Pang Xiao smiled and caressed her cheek: “That’s hard to say. Si Qin is cunning and vicious, always using underhanded methods. A’lan is wise and resourceful, but I’m afraid he might suffer losses from being too upright. However, I think with the Dragon Cavalry Army’s capabilities, A’lan has a good chance of success.”
“That’s good. I think Prince Consort Ji should be able to win.”
“Why? How did you suddenly gain confidence in him?” Pang Xiao’s tone was sour.
Qin Yining was amused by his expression and giggled: “Silly, it’s because you and Prince Consort Ji are equally renowned. You’re so capable—you brought troops right into such an easily defended and hard to attack place like Jianchuan Pass. Although I’ve never seen Prince Consort Ji fight, I’ve seen how formidable you are. Since you’re equally renowned, he should be about the same as you.”
Although Qin Yining was speaking the truth, this truth sounded far too pleasant to the ears.
Pang Xiao was overjoyed: “Hasn’t your little mouth eaten honey? How is it so sweet?”
“Am I someone who speaks glibly?” Qin Yining laughed softly.
Lying there in his arms with her hair disheveled and eyes sparkling like spring water, she looked so beautiful and lovable to Pang Xiao. He felt his Yining was truly gorgeous and utterly charming—such a beauty would be a painting even sitting quietly without saying a word.
Pang Xiao lifted Qin Yining’s chin with his index finger and kissed her without hesitation.
They had been separated for so long that their longing for each other had penetrated deep into their bones. Qin Yining also allowed Pang Xiao’s actions, circling her arms around his neck and responding passionately.
It wasn’t until both were breathing heavily that they were forced to separate.
“Don’t move, let me hold you for a while.” Pang Xiao buried his face beside Qin Yining’s ear, his voice carrying a hint of grievance: “Yining, I’ve missed you so much.”
Qin Yining’s heart melted completely: “I’ve missed you too. When we return to the old capital, if there’s nothing important, I won’t leave your side again.”